science-and-anthropology4.37 min read
"Unraveling the 1.6 Million-Year-Old Mystery of Human Language Evolution"
1 year ago•Source: The Independent
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4.37 min•1 year ago
"Revised Timeline: Humans' 1.6 Million-Year-Old Language Origins"
New research by British archaeologist Steven Mithen suggests that early humans likely developed rudimentary language around 1.6 million years ago in eastern or southern Africa, challenging the previous belief that humans only started speaking around 200,000 years ago. The analysis is based on a comprehensive study of archaeological, genetic, neurological, and linguistic evidence, indicating that the emergence of language was part of a suite of human evolution and other developments between two and 1.5 million years ago. This birth of language represented the beginning of linguistic development, with language gradually becoming more complex over hundreds of thousands of years.
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"Virtual Reconstruction Reveals Face of Ancient 12-Million-Year-Old Ape Species"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Daily Mail
Scientists have reconstructed the face of a European great ape species called Pierolapithecus catalaunicus, which could be one of the earliest relatives of the human race. The well-preserved skull was reconstructed using CT scans, and the species has distinct facial features not found in other apes from the same period. The remains, including a cranium and partial skeleton, were found in Catalonia, Spain, in 2002. The reconstruction provides valuable insights into the evolutionary relationships and biology of this ancient ape species, shedding light on human evolution.
Unearthing Lost Human Lineages in Africa's Namib Desert
Originally Published 2 years ago — by SciTechDaily
Researchers conducting DNA research in the Angolan Namib desert have discovered groups believed to have vanished 50 years ago, including the Kwepe community and the last speakers of the click-language Kwadi. The study reveals unique pre-Bantu ancestry found only in the Namib desert, shedding light on the complex histories of migrations and contacts in southern Africa. The research highlights the importance of modern DNA studies in understanding Africa's genetic framework and complements ancient DNA research in exploring the continent's deep genetic structure.
"Unveiling the Ancient Secrets: Extinct Apes' Burial Rituals and Artistry Explored by Scientist Lee Berger"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Boing Boing
Lee Berger, the lead scientist at the "Cave of Bones" site in South Africa, discusses his controversial claims about the Homo naledi fossils found in the Rising Star cave system. Berger believes that these small-brained hominins used fire, buried their dead in chambers, and adorned the burial site with primitive art. Despite criticism from peers, Berger argues that we should reconsider our bias for human exceptionalism and recognize the cultural complexity of other animals. He also speculates about interbreeding between humans and naledi. Berger announced plans to further explore the Rising Star site and respect its significance to the naledi.